The ‘faithful dog story’ is a (lucrative) Hollywood staple. This winter in theatres we’ll be able to watch “Hachiko: A Dog’s Story”, starring Richard Gere, and based on the apocryphical Japanese tale of the Akita who returns every day to the train station where he waits for his deceased master.

In a real life story that even Hollywood couldn’t rival, a dog named Ella held a solitary vigil at the crash site where she last saw her human family. As the article puts it, “For thirteen days, Ella waited”.

What a touching story and having been so lucky to have had a rottie in my life for 8 yrs it is so true.
I am really looking forward to the Hachicko movie as well, it was the story of Hachiko that helped me to decide to get my first akita. Too bad they didn’t stick to the original japanese version instead of americanizing it.

A similar story is circulating on the internet here in the U.S. A Clear Lake family took their two dogs to a boarding facility after Hurricane Ike blew down their backyard fence. The following morning they received a call telling them both their dogs were gone. Daizy and Hank had escaped. Hank was found almost immediately behind the kennel, but Daizy was gone. The family had plastered the neighborhood and surrounding areas with pictures offering rewards to no avail. Ten months later reports of Daizy sightings began to surface. A dog was coming out at night through a break in a fence at the end of a cul-de-sac. Apparently neighbors were leaving food for her to eat. Daizy is a Blue Lacy, the State Dog of Texas, and part coyote. Dog experts said this dog would most certainly be able to fend for itself. The family never gave up and could not bear the thought of just abandoning her and never finding her. When the family learned of her possible sighting, they went to the area to find her. Upon hearing the familiar family whistle, she bolted out of the woods to her owner, offered a paw for a handshake and began to cry. She is now happily back with her family and no worse for wear. Daizy was found less than a mile from the kennel she had escaped from ten months earlier! I love these stories!!! They should all end this way.

I sort of dread the Hachiko movie. I look forward to watching it but am worried about the effect it will have on the breed in general.

Please, we americanize everything. We did it to the breed as well. (Japanese akitas aren’t as large nor come in all the colors the American akitas do.)

I think the original story was incredibly sad. The owner died and no one took the dog in so he lived AS A STRAY for 10 plus years on the street. Nothing romantic about that. I have the original movie on VHS around here somewhere. (in Japanese with english subtitles)

Is it me or do we put to much weight into one story? I mean to judge a whole breed as super loyal because of one dog seems like a reach to me. Not to say they aren’t, but don’t you think loyalty is earned between a dog and their person? (and people) Do we really believe some breeds are more loyal than others?
.-= Marie´s last blog ..A brag and some breed chatter =-.

This story made me cry. I am sitting at my computer with my Rottweiler’s head on my keyboard (makes it pretty difficult to type!) Milly is 5 years old and just wants to be hugged. She gives and gets plenty of love. They are beautiful animals and don’t deserve the reputation they have.

I agree with you Marie, not all akitas are like Hachiko, I got my first akita in 1985 and have never been without one since. They are all different.
Another really good dog story (true book) is written by Martha Sherrill called Dog Man it’s the story of the man who basically started the akita breed in Japan. A good dog story even if you are not into akitas.

OMG, what a touching story. This poor little dog, gathering up its families items and waiting for them. This gives us all such an important message about how attached a dog gets to the family.
I do rescue and save so many dogs that are dumped by their family. This tells me how they must feel. So sad

Dogs of all breeds are smarter and more complex than most humans are aware of. A canine’s intelligence and keen sensitivity also means that physical and emotional abuse can damage a dog’s socialization and emotional health. People with poor parenting skills often drive their dogs crazy too.